3M is a trusted and proven provider of innovative ballistic helmet solutions.

3M™ Ballistic Helmets

World-Class Protection and Comfort

Under today’s higher threat levels, operators must be assured their helmet will deliver the protection they need so they can focus on the mission. 3M™ Ballistic Helmets deliver that performance. Our expertise in developing and manufacturing new helmet technology has resulted in leading edge, tested and verified helmets. We are committed to providing the most innovative ballistic helmet solutions and continue to push technology boundaries to save lives.

3M harnesses the power of science to offer a family of helmets that can meet the specific needs of general military, special operations forces and law enforcement. Backed by our lightweight material expertise and proprietary processes, 3M ballistic helmets deliver protection against a range of threats – including handgun bullets, blunt impacts, bomb fragmentation and select small-arms projectiles – all at a comfortable and industry-leading light weight.

Introducing the Newest Addition of 3M Ballistic Helmets

The 3M™ Ballistic Helmet F70 is flexible for use in multiple threat environments. The F70 is an integrated and configurable helmet designed for broad use from military combat missions, special forces operations and law enforcement tactical operations.

Ceradyne Inc., a 3M company, has been awarded the U.S. Army’s Integrated Helmet Protection System (IHPS) – the future in Soldier protection. Our IHPS offering combines the best in ballistic performance, comfort, quality and lightweight technology to meet demanding military requirements.

Ceradyne was also the first to be awarded the original Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) contract when it was the most advanced helmet for its time, and has successfully delivered more than 130,000 of these helmets to the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy since 2014.

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News

Configurable helmet designed for broad use from combat operations to law enforcement

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Oct. 8, 2018 – Military and police forces across the world require cutting-edge protection to match an ever-evolving range of operational environments. Ceradyne, Inc., a 3M company, designed the new 3M Ballistic Helmet F70 for maximum flexibility of use in military combat missions, special forces operations and law enforcement tactical operations. The helmet leverages 3M scientific expertise that combines high ballistic protection at an industry leading low weight.

The 3M Ballistic Helmet F70 provides a unique combination of ballistic performance, low weight, modular system design and optimized geometry. The helmet comes in both high cut and mid cut (full coverage) versions and offers an optional ballistic mandible and ballistic visor. The helmet geometry is engineered for improved coverage of critical areas and increased stability and comfort.

Unlike conventional helmet designs, the no thru-hole design eliminates weak spots in the ballistic shell by removing thru-holes for the night vision device shroud, retention system and rails. With this state-of-the-art design, bolts can no longer become secondary projectiles during a ballistic event.

“Every detail matters when it comes to protecting those who serve their countries and communities, and that’s why we continually develop advanced solutions like the 3M Ballistic Helmet F70,” said Terry Griffith, Defense Business Manager, 3M Advanced Materials Division. “We ensure our designs use the highest standards for compliance-driven manufacturing that have earned 3M a reputation our customers can trust. Everything we do is driven by a deep passion to help military and law enforcement stay safe as they work to achieve their vital objectives.”

The 3M Ballistic Helmet F70 meets or exceeds all commonly specified Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) requirements for ballistic and bump protection and meets NIJ IIIA ballistic penetration protection standards (9mm). It provides V50 fragmentation protection against 17 grain .22 caliber FSP at greater than 2,750 feet per second (greater than 840 meters per second) when tested in accordance with NATO STANAG 2920. The ballistic shell weight is 1.68 pounds (770 grams) in the high cut version and 1.91 pounds (870 grams) in the mid cut version.

The Air Force Test Parachute Program (TPP) also conducted an evaluation of the 3M Ballistic Helmet F70 and determined it to be suitable for Air Force static line and military free fall operations.

Each F70 helmet comes with reverse dovetail rails that accept common industry accessories. Optional accessories designed for the helmet include ballistic mandibles, visors, helmet covers, over ear ballistic protection (high cut) and counterweights. In addition, the helmet works seamlessly with 3M™ PELTOR™ communications and hearing protection solutions.
3M will debut the helmet at booth 7741 at the AUSA 2018 Annual Meeting and Exposition, Oct. 8-10, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The helmet will be available for sale in December 2018.

For more information about soldier protection solutions provided by 3M, visit www.3M.com/Defense.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – March 1, 2018 – The U.S. Army has awarded Ceradyne, Inc., a 3M company, an additional $34 million to continue supplying its ballistic helmet of the future. The Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) – which Popular Mechanics described as straight out of science fiction – uses advanced materials, an ultramodern design and add-on accessories to give soldiers greater comfort and advanced protection for modern missions. This brings Ceradyne’s total IHPS contract value to more than $52 million.

The U.S. Army created the highly technical IHPS to give soldiers a lighter-weight ballistic helmet with passive hearing protection and increased blunt-impact performance. It is a component of the Army’s next-generation Soldier Protection System (SPS) program, which seeks to optimize soldier protection while reducing total equipment weight.

"This order reinforces the Army’s confidence in 3M to design and produce the IHPS, which is so advanced, it sets a new global standard for head protection," said Cheryl Ingstad, global business manager, Advanced Ceramics Platform – Defense, 3M.

The IHPS is designed to protect against modern battlefield threats, including powerful rifle projectiles and handgun bullets. It can be fitted with accessories, such as mandible, visor, night vision goggle attachment, rails and a modular ballistic applique for increased protection. 3M will begin delivery in early 2018 and will continue to deliver throughout the year.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Oct. 9, 2017 – Greater threats and changing missions demand a higher caliber of head and body protection than what many militaries around the world use today. 3M will be showcasing a family of soldier protection solutions that address this need in Booth 7243 at the AUSA 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition.

Among the 3M offerings on display will be the new Combat II Ballistic Helmet L110. This state-of-the-art helmet delivers 3M’s highest ballistic protection to date. Developed by Ceradyne, Inc., a 3M company, the L110 helmet is based on technology that has been tested, fielded and proven with the U.S. military.

“There’s tremendous interest globally for head protection that defends against today’s most prevalent threats, like explosive devices and rifle bullets, at the lightest possible weight,” said Cheryl Ingstad, business manager, Advanced Ceramics Platform – Defense, 3M. “We put our scientific expertise to work to deliver exactly that in the L110 helmet. We look forward to discussing the L110 helmet, our range of innovative soldier-protection offerings and future advancements at this year’s event.”

3M representatives will also be available at AUSA to discuss the company’s support for the U.S. Army’s Soldier Protection System (SPS) program.

Ceradyne was awarded a low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract in 2016 for the program’s Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) component. The IHPS will give soldiers a lighter-weight ballistic helmet system with passive hearing protection and increased blunt impact performance. The 3M IHPS offering is currently undergoing government testing.
Ceradyne was also awarded an LRIP contract for the SPS’s Vital Torso Protection (VTP) component, which seeks to give soldiers lighter-weight body armor inserts. Government testing of these inserts has been completed.

With more than 70 years of support for the U.S. Armed Forces, 46 technology platforms and proven performance in the field, 3M can help program managers solve their toughest challenges. Life-saving 3M innovations include: lightweight ballistic helmets and body armor, aircraft armor, 3M™ PELTOR™ tactical communications, and respiratory, hearing and eye protection.

New helmet offers greatest protection level in its weight classification

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Sept. 28, 2017 – Globally, military and police forces are seeking a state-of-the-art helmet to protect their service members from modern threats, like rifle fire and explosive devices. Ceradyne Inc., a 3M company, designed the new Combat II Ballistic Helmet L110 to meet this pressing need at a level of comfort that appeals to users. The helmet leverages 3M scientific expertise to deliver its highest ballistic protection to date, and is based on a technology that has already been proven with the U.S. military.

Designed for military combat operations and counterterrorism police missions, the Combat II L110 helmet can help protect service members from bomb fragmentations, certain rifle projectiles, handgun bullets and blunt impacts. The helmet provides protection against select small arms projectiles including V50 ballistic limit value greater than 2,400 feet per second (greater than 731 meters per second) against the 7.62 x 51 mm M80 NATO ball projectile.

“A helmet’s job first and foremost is to protect our defenders in harm’s way, and today that requires an advanced solution like the Combat II Ballistic Helmet L110,” said Cheryl Ingstad, business manager, Advanced Ceramics Platform – Defense, 3M. “Our engineers put their passion and scientific expertise toward inventing a cutting-edge helmet that gets the most from the latest advanced materials. Military and law enforcement can take comfort knowing they have a partner in 3M that deeply cares about keeping service members safe.”

The Combat II L110 helmet achieves its high level of protection without increased weight. This allows military and police forces to receive greater protection without sacrificing mobility, which is required for today’s increasingly urban missions and close-quarters combat.

To date, Ceradyne has produced tens of thousands of helmets that utilize similar technology to the L110 helmet. Ceradyne can manufacture the helmet today in large quantities, at high quality under tight timelines. Additionally, local support can be provided to customers across their program’s life cycle.

Ceradyne produces the Combat II L110 helmet with ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene composites and uses proprietary, seamless, ballistic-molding technology to form a durable protective shell. The helmet’s proven geometry allows uninhibited movement when the helmet is worn with most ballistic vests with collars. The helmet is offered in sizes small through extra-large and supports a variety of accessories and communication needs.

3M will debut the helmet at Booth 7243 at the AUSA 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition, Oct. 9-11 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

For more information about soldier protection solutions provided by 3M, visit www.3M.com/Defense.
3M will debut the helmet at Booth 7243 at the AUSA 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition, Oct. 9-11 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

For more information about soldier protection solutions provided by 3M, visit www.3M.com/Defense.

Company will deliver next-generation lightweight helmets and body armor inserts for the Soldier Protection System

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Nov. 1, 2016 – The U.S. Army has selected Ceradyne, Inc., a 3M company, as the awardee for two low-rate initial production (LRIP) contracts for nextgeneration helmet systems and hard body armor inserts as part of the Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) and Vital Torso Protection (VTP) – Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI) components of the Soldier Protection System (SPS).

The Army designed the IHPS to give soldiers a lighter-weight ballistic helmet system that also provides passive hearing protection and increased blunt-impact performance. This helmet system includes numerous accessories, including a mandible, visor, night vision goggle attachment device, rails and modular ballistic applique. The contract awarded to Ceradyne is valued at over $7 million for the delivery of more than
5,300 IHPS helmet systems. Production is expected to start in 2017.

The VTP will equip soldiers with lighter-weight body armor inserts. The $36 million contract is for the production of more than 30,000 ESAPI, with production also expected to start in 2017. This VTP award is an addition to a previous $34 million award, for a total of $70
million on the VTP LRIP contract.

“We are honored to be the awardee of these prestigious contracts,” said Cheryl Ingstad, business manager, Advanced Ceramics Platform – Defense, 3M. “The SPS program represents the highest level of lightweight technology to date. Our focus from the onset has been to meet the Army’s stringent specifications for the SPS, and that will continue as we move into initial production. As a leading science company, 3M has deep expertise in advanced lightweight materials, which, combined with our proven production history, differentiates our defense offerings.”

The SPS will replace the Army’s current personal protective equipment (PPE) system. It is designed to defeat current threats while providing an overall weight reduction for soldiers compared to existing PPE. Both the IHPS and VTP began as research and development
programs with multiple contenders.

Ceradyne has delivered more than 120,000 enhanced combat helmets (ECH) to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps since 2014. The ECH offers the highest protection level of any helmet in the U.S. Armed Forces inventory, even protecting against certain small arms threats. Ceradyne has also delivered more than 2 million hard body armor inserts to the U.S. Armed Forces to date.

For more information about soldier protection solutions provided by 3M, visit www.3M.com/Defense.